Denmark continues to show that it is not underdog, even without Eriksen

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3:29 PM ET

Reporter Rob Dawson

There might be a temptation to believe Denmark are enjoying a flurry of goodwill in these European championships after the world watched Christian Eriksen collapse on the pitch three weeks ago, but their arrival to the semi-finals at Euro 2020 was driven by more than just fate and a fairy tale.

There was nothing mysterious about their 2-1 win over the Czech Republic on Saturday. Denmark are good players, well trained by Kasper Hjolmand, with the ability to score high-quality goals and defend on par with courage. Denmark ranks as the 10th best team in the world for a reason.

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However, what they have been able to achieve without Eriksen, their best player, remains fantastic. Denmark’s players were there in tears as they prepared to resume their opening match with Finland after seeing Eriksen leave the field on a stretcher barely conscious. Many of them, understandably, seem to have lost 1-0 in a daze. But against the Czechs, there was energy and determination, and at the final whistle, there were tears of a different kind.

Prior to the tournament, Denmark had not won a Euro knockout match since their victory in 1992, when they were asked to replace Yugoslavia within weeks. Now they have a semi-final at Wembley to look forward to. He has already won there once this season, beating England 1-0 in the Nations League in October.

The underdogs? Yeah. Rank strangers? Not a chance.

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“It’s hard to put it into words,” Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel said afterwards.

“The Czech Republic is a very difficult team to play against. We played well in the first half, but the second half was tough. We can fight and fight, and we did. It was a huge relief when the final whistle came.”

Playing in sweltering heat in Baku, Azerbaijan, Thomas Delaney made a perfect start for Denmark five minutes later with a header in the net from Jens Streiger Larsen’s corner. Not without her fortune after replays showed that the Czech Republic should have been awarded a goal kick after the ball came from Kasper Dolberg, but there was nothing lucky in the second Denmark.

Joachim Mahle was sent racing far to the left just before the break, and bent, with the outside of his right boot, in a cross that was met at the back post by Dolberg’s cushioned shot.

Denmark were among the black horses to enter the tournament, but their run without Christian Eriksen shows that their place in the semi-finals is no accident. Photo by Tolga Bozoglu – Paul / Getty Images

Dolberg was chased by some of Europe’s biggest clubs as a teenager at Ajax. Now 23 and playing in France for Nice, he’s using the euro to remind everyone of all the fuss. He started two games, scored three goals and is sure to be in the squad at Wembley on Wednesday against England or Ukraine.

Patrik Cech’s fifth goal in the tournament – a clever shot into the far corner – gave the Czech Republic hope they could make a comeback similar to those of Croatia against Spain and Switzerland against France, but Denmark managed the second half as is. I’ve been in this position a thousand times before.

The three defenders repelled what eventually became an air attack, and Denmark could have added at least one more had they been more stamina during the break.

“Denmark is a great team,” said Czech Republic captain Vladimir Derrida. “They defended really well, and the early goal helped their tactics. It’s very difficult to get to them. It’s a pity.

“There is nothing to be ashamed of. We showed good performance, fighting spirit, we fought like lions for our crest. That was evident in today’s match as well.

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Saturday, July 3 • Czech Republic vs. Denmark (11:50 AM ET) • Ukraine – England (2:50 PM ET) • DC United vs. Toronto (5:30 PM ET) • Montreal – Miami ( 7:30 PM ET) • Orlando vs. New York (7:30 PM ET) • Minnesota vs. San Jose (8 PM ET) • Chicago vs. Atlanta (8 PM ET) • Nashville vs. Philadelphia (8 PM ET) • Houston – Cincinnati (8pm ET) • Salt Lake vs LAFC (10pm ET)

Sunday, July 4 • Dallas – Vancouver (8:30 pm ET) • Colorado – Seattle (9 pm ET) • Los Angeles Galaxy – Kansas City (10:30 pm ET)

“It’s a pity that we couldn’t equalize, because I think it would have turned our path at the time.”

Without their superstar Eriksen, Denmark’s strength lies in the group. Maehle’s cross on Dolberg’s goal was one of the championship passes, but there was plenty in the performance that wouldn’t make the reel stand out. There was Andreas Christensen risking his bloody nose to challenge Thomas Suchek and block the West Ham midfielder from a draw, and Schmeichel was quick to snuff out a chance that fell on Thomas Holes.

Dolberg’s finish was great, but so was his curved header to snag a Czech free kick from his near post, then sprint to block a subsequent cross. Denmark doesn’t lack support in these Euros, but they don’t lack talent and work ethic either.

It takes more than just a pretty story to get to the final four of a major tournament. Their place among the best in Europe is well deserved.

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